Thousands of women
and their dependants had benefited from the care and companionship
offered by the War Widows' Guild in South Australia, the Minister
for Veterans' Affairs, Bruce Billson, said today. Addressing
the 60th Anniversary Annual General Meeting of the South Australian
branch of the War Widows' Guild of Australia at the Adelaide
Town Hall, Mr Billson congratulated the Guild on its achievements
during the past six decades.
"The War Widows' Guild in South Australia has provided
selfless service, compassion and empowerment for many South
Australian women whose husbands sacrificed their lives for
Australia," Mr Billson said.
"Throughout its 60-year history, the Guild has worked
tirelessly to improve the well-being of war widows and their
families by providing affordable housing, advocacy services
and a range of social services to help its members cope with
terrible loss," Mr Billson said. "The South Australian
branch of the War Widows' Guild was formed in 1946 at the
request of the founder of the Guild, Mrs Jessie Vasey. Mrs
Vasey's husband, General George Vasey, died in an air crash
on his way to New Guinea in March 1945. Before he was killed
he drew her attention to the plight of war widows, and the
need to help them.
"Mrs Vasey started the Guild in Victoria in 1945 to improve
housing, pension access and health care for war widows and
their dependants, with branches formed in all states by 1947.
"The War Widows' Guild in South Australia is an inspiration
to our community, and is to be commended for its continuing
commitment to upholding
the noble ideals of Mrs Vasey, and for bringing comfort and
joy to many war widows in South Australia," Mr Billson
said.